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The Annual 2006: Top 10 poster ads

1. NIKE, "ST WAYNE", WIEDEN & KENNEDY

Not to everybody's taste, but absolutely impossible to ignore. Wayne
Rooney isn't the most aesthetically pleasing of human beings at the best
of times, but get him to pull a screaming (agony or ecstacy, we're still
not sure) face, stretch wide his arms and then daub a cross on him in
blood, fist to oustretched fist, forehead to belly button, and you have
an image that is nightmarishly compelling. Nike hoped this crude
exploitation of Christian iconography would stir up a storm, but the
protests were strangely muted, just like some of Nike's boys in the
World Cup, as it goes.

Art directors: Chris Groom, Stuart Harkness, Guy Featherstone

Writers: Chris Groom, Stuart Harkness

2. VIRGIN ATLANTIC, "BANANA", RAINEY KELLY CAMPBELL ROALFE/Y&R

Banana as an airliner. Why? Because you're worth it, obviously. But also
because Virgin Holidays now offers flights from Manchester direct to
Barbados. Banana ... Barbados. Do you see? Each year's list of the best
posters features at least one that derives much of its power by seeking
to reward the audience for its cleverness. Usually it comes courtesy of
The Economist - and, indeed, this one borrows much of the advertising
visual style from The Economist. That red background, for instance. And
the simplicity of the art direction.

Art director: Rob Messeter

Writer: Mike Crowe

3. THE ECONOMIST, "SPARKS AND MENSA", ABBOT MEAD VICKERS BBDO

Talk of the devil. Ominously, there were mutterings in the ranks at this
year's Campaign Poster Awards when The Economist scooped its customary
armful of gongs. Hadn't the iconic AMV formula long-since passed its
sell-by date? Clearly, it hadn't. The judges would like to point out
that this one breaks new ground in that it involves a spoonerism as well
as a pun.

Art director: Mark Fairbanks

Writer: Mark Fairbanks

4. CHANNEL 4, "SHAMELESS 3", 4CREATIVE

Frank Gallagher (aka David Threlfall), roaring drunk, colourful, angry,
self-pitying, the biggest kid from the most dysfunctional family from
the country's worst estate, makes off with the Channel 4 logo. Well, he
would, wouldn't he?

Art director: Tom Tagholm

Writer: Tom Tagholm

5. TATE BRITAIN, "HUNGOVER", FALLON LONDON

Part of a classy, typographically cool campaign that proved, at least in
the outdoor arena, that the art of the copywriter isn't dead. The pastel
tone chosen for the typesetting is actually very soothing if you do
genuinely have a hangover. Which is thoughtful.

Art director: Richard Flintham

Writer: Juan Cabral

6. MORE4, "HAPPY ENDING", DDB LONDON

You've drawn the short straw in the world of look-a-likes if you are a
dead ringer for Adolf. There is, however, the consolation of an ad
campaign now and again.

Art director: Nick Allsop

Writer: Simon Veksner

7. TROPICANA, "PRESSED" DDB LONDON

More DDB, but in a more Laura Ashley frame of mind this time.

Art director: Emer Stamp

Writer: Ben Tollett

8. HARVEY NICHOLS, "BEANS", DDB LONDON

The moral of this is that shoes are very expensive at Harvey Nicks. Or,
alternatively, that beans are very cheap. We're not entirely sure.

Art director: Justin Tindall

Writer: Adam Tucker

9. GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY, "1 LONDON", NITRO

The Campaign Readers' Award went to this one at this year's Poster
Awards. We're not sure why - although we're not questioning the taste or
judgment of the Campaign readership, you understand.

Art directors: Neil Richardson, Olly Farrington

Writers: Olly Farrington, Neil Richardson

10. VISIT LONDON, "SEAHORSE", RAINEY KELLY CAMPBELL ROALFE/Y&R

There is something reminiscent of the 60s rock festival poster about
this one. Which is nice.